Germany – Iceland: Smart Combination Play, Clinical Finishing And Unconventional Thoughts (3-0)

This match was the beginning of a new Germany chapter, as Joachim Löw's team showed some exciting ideas. A glamorous performance from Sané and Gündoğan highlighted the cohesive left flank of Germany’s 4-3-3 formation, supported by Kimmich and Goretzka shining centrally. Iceland failed to deal with this threat as the game was effectively decided in the first 45 minutes.

Tactical analysis and match report by Omar Mokhtar. 

For this game, Joachim Löw made a number of alterations to the most recent formation he picked. Toni Kroos was unavailable after sustaining a muscle injury. Furthermore, Niklas Süle and Robin Gosens missed the game due to some fitness issues. Therefore, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané and Kai Havertz made up the front three, while in central midfield in their 4-3-3 shape Joshua Kimmich played alongside İlkay Gündoğan and Leon Goretzka. Lukas Klostermann then completed the back four alongside Matthias Ginter, Antonio Rüdiger and, surprisingly, Emre Can as center-back.

Unlike his counterpart in the Germany dugout, Iceland manager Arnar Vidarsson only made a handful of changes to the squad he picked back in November For Iceland. He went for a 4-5-1 shape, with Kári Árnason and Sverrir Ingason as central defenders and Alfons Sampsted and Hörður Magnússon as fullbacks. The defense was protected by lone holding midfielder Aron Gunarsson, as Rúnar Sigurjónsson and Victor Pálsson played as central midfielders. Up top, Jón Daði Böðvarsson played for the injured Alfred Finnbogason, flanked by wingers Arnór Traustason and Birkir Bjarnason. Star player Gylfi Sigurdsson was . . .